Search Documents

By K McNabb, M H. Turner, P A. Jenkin

Mining of the Agnew nickel deposit commenced in 1970 using a variety of underground mining methods, though with mixed success due to the difficult ground conditions. WMC Resources Ltd acquired the operation in 1989, and commenced nickel production with an open pit. In 1995 all production reverted to the rejuvenated underground mine, using exclusively SLC (sublevel caving) methods. Currently the mine produces 1.4 Mt per annum, at an average grade of 1.74 per cent Ni. Underground mining of the Perseverance orebody has always presented significant challenges due to the difficult ground conditions in the weak and altered ultramafic rocks. The range of problems include areas of swelling minerals, intense and extremely weak shear zones, relatively high in situ stress, and in other areas very brittle rocks. Under these conditions rock mechanics input has been and remains a critical element of the mining strategy. Severe ground behaviour difficulties down to a depth of 500 m below surface prompted a review of the mining strategy for the large disseminated nickel orebody, including evaluation of alternative mining methods. However, sublevel caving was ultimately selected as the preferred method, and a re-design of the SLC cross-cut layout followed. A selection of rock mechanics investigations of interest are described, including complex virgin stress measurements, detailed ground behaviour monitoring, and the use of non-linear stress analyses to re-design the mine layout. Subsequent ground behaviour, support design and production scheduling are also described.

Jan 1, 2000

By H Mali, B Kain-Bückner

Different types of lump iron ore-bearing particles were investigated in terms of their raw material properties depending on their behaviour during reduction. To predict the reduction behaviour different types of lump iron ore and pellet brands were characterised by their mineral abundance, texture and pore size. The image processing software VisuMet was developed to semi-automate the evaluation of photomicrographs from polished sections of lumpy iron particles. The results were compared to the standard reducibility test after ISO 4695. The evaluation of lump iron ores is based on the simulation of the transformation of the different iron minerals due to their sequence of reducibility. The progress of the reduction front is simulated and the result is a degradation curve. Pellets were also investigated due to their different pore size distribution. The results indicate that the pore size influences the reducibility in addition to mineral abundance. The evaluation with VisuMet of the lump iron ore and pellet samples correlates with the reducibility provided by the ISO 4695 test. The determination of the mineral abundance by VisuMet is comparable to common point counting with a correlation coefficient of 99.67 per cent.CITATION:Kain-Bückner, B and Mali, H, 2017. VisuMet – analyses of lumpy iron carriers with image processing, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 557–560 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

By A Melloy, D Holt, M Jurak

Oaky North is AustraliaÆs highest producing underground coal mine. In 2011, the mine produced 8.7 Mt of high-quality coking coal. The high quantities are a result of the constant strive for optimising the operating time of major production units, which involves investing numerous resources, including diesel equipment, in supporting and maintaining their operation.In July 2011 it was identified that the diesel particulate matter (DPM) levels in the underground workings were above acceptable levels, due to the high level of diesel activity. Over the next 12 months, several controls were implemented to reduce exposure to personnel: the main ventilation system was upgraded; the production forecast was adjusted to better manage the diesel fleet, removing surges in diesel usage; and an electronic diesel tag board was introduced to centrally manage the distribution of diesel usage around the mine.From the start of the campaign in emission reduction, an intense DPM monitoring regime was established. Within a few months of the introduction of the centralised tag board, there was a major reduction in emission levels. After the installation and commissioning of the new main fans, the emission levels dropped further, such that over-exposures are now a rarity.Oaky North continues to explore new systems to better utilise their diesel fleet while still maintaining control over DPM emissions.CITATION:Melloy, A, Holt, D and Jurak, M, 2013. Reduction in diesel particulate matter at Oaky North, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference , pp 187-190 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 1, 2013

By R Miller, D Hawcroft

The business environment is never still and there has been enormous change in demand, technology and opportunity during the last decade. In order to succeed it is necessary for organisations to change the way work is planned, scheduled and carried out. This is necessary just to survive over time. The success or failure of the business is strongly influenced by people; the way they work, the way they are guided and their feelings about being part of both a team, as well as an organisation. Our Sustainable Integrated Management System (SIMS) philosophy is built on the belief that people want to be constructive and creative and it is their environment and working relationships that influence how their energies are directed.

Jan 1, 2000

Newmont Waihi Operations is participating in the initiation of a community liaison forum in association with the local district council. The objective is to provide a forum for the free and regular exchange of ideas, concerns and information, and through improved communication seek to achieve a more comprehensive set of solutions to community, operating and closure issues associated with Martha Mine. A similar liaison forum has been operated on two previous occasions during earlier phases of the present mine's operation. This paper deals with the practical aspects of setting up a liaison forum to act as an effective conduit between regulators, mine operators, local businesses and the community. The mechanisms and procedures for identifying community issues and concerns are dealt with. The actions and structures required to ensure effective ongoing community 'buy in' at all levels are discussed. Corporate philosophies are addressed. Specific examples from Martha Mine, Waihi New Zealand will be used to illustrate the paper. This will include a brief explanation of previous and current community issues, Newmont Waihi's operations both at Martha Mine and the proposed Favona underground mine, and the practical issues involved in setting up a liaison forum.

Jan 1, 2003

By D Craw

Oceana Gold as part of their environmental strategy are looking at various methods for cost-effective revegetation of their tailings dams. Under the concept of revegetating the tailings this study looked at several issues. These issues were; testing different methods of revegetation, arsenic (As) uptake in vegetation with respect to capping thickness, and background As levels in farmland areas above mineralised rocks. A number of plots were set up in a temporarily disused tailings dam to trial the direct sowing of ryecorn into the tailings.   Ryecorn was sown in sandy tailings (ca 1000 mg/kg As) and then covered with oxidised schist to anchor the seeds. This proved successful and ryecorn was established. Once the plots covered with oxidised schist were growing, 1 m and 2 m strips were sown on the sheltered side of the existing plots without the covering of oxidised schist. The uncovered plots also established successfully. From this set of trials a sowing plan can be developed that uses a minimum of resources to successfully establish vegetation. The maximum As content of the ryecorn was 80 mg/kg. Clover, Yorkshire fog and ryegrass plant matter was sampled from a pot trial that used different thicknesses of topsoil covering tailings material. As the thickness of topsoil increased, the amount of As taken up decreased. Soil samples were taken from farmland areas which were known to have elevated levels of As (up to 1000 mg/kg) in the top 10 cm. Vegetation samples were also taken from the same locations, and show the As levels in plants is <50 mg/kg.

Jan 1, 2006

By T Peters

The Kibali Gold Mine is currently comprised of several open pits, a 3.5 Mtpa underground mine and a 7.5 Mtpa processing plant. Development of the underground operation commenced in December 2012, with initial access established through twin surface declines, followed by the commencement of a blind sink 8 m diameter rock hoist shaft in March 2013. Stope production started in December 2014 with ore and waste trucked to surface. The 755 m deep blind shaft sink was completed in August 2015 together with the cutting and equipping of three main station levels. Two of these levels provide access for the establishment of the underground materials handling system as well as the main dewatering system for the mine. This paper covers the process of determining the optimal location of the Kibali hoisting shaft relative to project-specific critical factors, and then focuses on the design and implementation journey associated with the off-shaft development that essentially encompasses the Material Handling System (MHS) for the mine. The journey starts from the findings of the previous owners Feasibility Study (FS), a subsequent Optimised FS, followed by detailed engineering through to implementation. It was identified during implementation that a significant change in the designed off-shaft layout was required following detailed underground geotechnical and hydrogeological investigations. In addition, the paper provides details on the MHS performance since commissioning to steady state, and on key learnings relating to the overall project process.

Mar 29, 2023

The increased cost of imported oil fuels, coupled with our understandable reluctance to commit ourselves to the use of nuclear energy, has resulted in a renewed reliance on coal as a primary source of energy. New Zealand is fortunate in being fairly well endowed in its coal resources, but their exploitation until now, has been on a relatively small scale. Future exploitation, whether from underground or open cast mines, must be on a very much larger scale. This paper outlines some of the factors which should be considered in planning large open cast mines.

Jan 1, 1976

Iron from the blast furnace constitutes the starting point in steel production and any increase that can be made in iron production will bring about important repercussions in a long line of processes. Coke constitutes a major item in furnace operation and consumption at the Port Kembla Works of Australian Iron & Steel Ltd. has been approximately 1,850 lb. per ton of iron produced on ore practice, or 3,000 tons per day.For many years coke quality has been subject to much criticism by furnace operators throughout the world, sometimes with little real grounds. Whatever the merits of previous arguments, and they were no doubt two-sided, the development of bigger furnaces has focused attention on coke strength. At the same time a decrease in the quantity of good quality coking coals available to many plants has stimulated research in this field.Extensive coke research has been carried out overseas, and in Australia the.B.H.P. Organization is now actively doing likewise in its Central Research Laboratories at Shortland near Newcastle, N.S.W., and works research groups at Newcastle and Port Kembla Steelworks. Similar work has been initiated in the beehive coking industry. Such work is in its infancy and this paper will outline the direction of the activities at Port Kembla rather than propound specific solutions.At Port Kembla good quality coking coals are readily available from the IIIawarra coalfield. The seams generally mined for coking are Bulli and Wongawilli and to a much smaller extent Tongarra. Characteristics of these coals appear in Table 1.

Jan 1, 1958

By P A. Jenkins, I W. O Jones

WMC has mined the Perseverance disseminated orebody exclusively by SLC (sublevel cave) methods. Deteriorating ground conditions in the vicinity of an orebody inflection forced a re-evaluation of future mining at Perseverance and a strategy to drop down below the inflection zone and recommence the cave was implemented. This strategy has led to increased production at higher grades, resulting in lower costs and better mill recoveries. This paper describes the evolution of mine planning, development, support and production strategies through the successful process of implementing the ædrop-downÆ and re-establishing the SLC.

Jan 1, 2000

Any hypothesis for the origin of the Otago gold-quartz lodes must account for the following observations. 1. Southeast of Glenorchy, where the schists hosting the lodes are comparatively unaffected by Neogene Alpine Fault deformation, the dominant strike of the vein systems is NW-SE, parallel to the axis of greatest post-metamorphic uplift in the Otago Schist belt (Paterson, 1986). 2. The lodes are fault-hosted, with some developed along steep, low-displacement normal faults (eg Barewood, Bendigo, Nenthorn), implying NE-SW extension, and some developed along low-angle thrusts (eg Macraes) implying, in apparent contradiction, NE-SW contraction (Teagle et al, 1990). 3. The mineralising fluid was of metamorphic origin (McKeag and Craw, 1989), but while some of the lodes developed in a mesothermal environment at considerable depth (eg ~10 km for Macraes), others appear to have formed at very shallow depth (eg <1 km for Nenthorn) (Craw and Norris, 1988). 4. The timing of the mineralisation is generally poorly constrained but postdates the main Rangitata schist metamorphism. It probably initiated during early Cretaceous exhumation and unroofing of the schist belt (140 - 120 Ma?) and may have continued well into the Tertiary (Craw, 1989). Estimates for the relative ages of the different lodes are largely speculative but, based on pressure estimates from fluid inclusion studies, Macraes likely represents the deepest and oldest lode system while Nenthorn (just 12 km to the southwest) is perhaps the shallowest and youngest (Craw and Norris, 1988).

Jan 1, 1992

Hydraulic mining shovels can be successively used at open-pit mining operation in severe climatic zone with air temperature interval from -700C to +450C typical for some northern region of the world particularly of Russia, Canada and Sweden, if they would be equipped by special preheating facilities for their diesel engine, water, hydraulic oil and lubrication systems. All shovels manufactured by the Komatsu Mining Germany GmbH for operation at ambient air temperatures down to -50¦C have cast and forged structural design elements, bolted connections made of special steel grades, electric cables with special insulation, flexible high-pressure hoses manufactured by ICE-Champion with connectors made of special steel grades.Generally at the temperatures below -25¦C the ordinary machine has to be stopped, the attachment should be placed in the parking position, the generator should be switched on, or the external electrical power supply connected, for the preheating equipment. For rapid start-up in winter after a long shutdown of a hydraulic shovel, there is a procedure for preheating of the main systems. It is applied for the following systems: engine cooling system, engine oil, hydraulic oil, pumps and drive motors of the propel gears, electric cabinets, machinery house, especially near the ventilation inlets and outlets.Start-up of the main drive engine is permitted at a hydraulic oil temperature of -20¦C, when it has a viscosity of 1000 cSt. In this case the rotation speed of the diesel engine crankshaft is lower by two times than the nominal value and this is the most favourable condition of start-up of the engine and hydraulic pumps and motors, which work with half of their rated rotation speed until the hydraulic oil reaches a viscosity from 100 to 10 cSt. After that the hydraulic system and the entire shovel begin to operate under normal conditions.

Dec 6, 2010

Aurum Reef Resources is a provincially owned unlisted public company which holds a number of prospecting licences over Otago hard rock historically active minesites. The Bullendale Licence 31 1845 was applied for in 1985, granted 1991, including a DoC special condition allowing re-opening of the historic workings. The underground workings were commenced in 1862 and up to the mine's closure in 1906 some 40 000 ounces were produced at an average grade of 15.5 g Au/t. The purpose of the summer 1991 work programme was to enter the workings in an attempt to observe and sample the mullock between the lodes operated by the early miners. This objective was achieved on the third attempt. Samples were taken and subsequently a contract geologist resampled the workings and prepared a report indicating the Bullendale lode zone to be generally mineralised. Mullock interlode and schist foot-wall consistently returned assays over 0.5 g/t.

Jan 1, 1992

Efficacy of Enhanced Gravity Separator in Processing Indian Iron Ore Slime The slime sample was subjected to concentration using Falcon concentrator for their enrichment. The effects of three important variables, eg bowl rotation frequency, back water flow rate and per cent solid were studied on the process performance. Increasing the rotation of the Falcon bowl, enable more material to the underflow by increasing the yield, whereas, the iron content decreases steadily with increasing the rotation of the bowl. The increase in the back water flow effectively removes the clay materials from the underflow at the expense of the yield. Similarly, increasing the per cent solid concentration in the feed produces a better product both in terms of yield and Fe content. Results show that EGS/Falcon can be used for processing Indian iron ore slime and producing pellet grade concentrate.

Sep 13, 2010

During the middle of this century, exploration and mining reached a low ebb in New Zealand. Tas McKee did his utmost to rejuvenate the mining industry, using the latest technology and an understanding of the environment far ahead of his time. Today, advances in the geosciences enable sophisticated exploration to proceed to the drilling stage before any significant environmental disturbance is created. Thereafter developments are now carried out with integrated management of the environment and rehabilitation so that disturbed land can be used for other purposes once mining is finished. Thus, we now have environmental engineers and scientists taking their place as professionals in our Institute.

Jan 1, 1987

By A Mortazavi, M Akhmedya

Mining is recognised as being one of the most dangerous industries in the world due to the difficult working conditions. Working in such hazardous circumstances in an underground mine often results in a variety of accidents. The working conditions at Kazakhstan’s underground mines have deteriorated owing to a lack of a risk-reduction plan and methodology. This paper evaluates different underground mines in Kazakhstan and demonstrates the employed mining method and the observed failure modes. Risk assessment has long been recognised as a valuable technique for preventing accidents. In the underground mining sector, risk assessment tools play an important role in avoiding work-related accidents. However, geotechnical uncertainty is a significant source of severe incidents like stress-induced roof collapse, wedge failure, seismicity etc, which result in human and financial losses. A geotechnical risk assessment performed early in the mine design process might assist justify a different mine design component, such as different support systems for a dangerous location within the mine openings during mining. The goal of this research is to create a damage/failure database aiming at the development of a geomechanical risk assessment methodology. This work identifies a thematic structure linked to risk assessment and management for the examined Kazakhstan mining sector. As part of the developed database, the dominant modes of failure within the Kazakhstan underground mining conditions were investigated. The study will provide opportunities to establish future research objectives for Kazakhstan’s mining industry where there are significant gaps between state-of-the-art research and mining operations in practice.

Nov 29, 2022

By S Pradhan, A Kuras, R Mahajan

This paper describes the design of the precast concrete segmental lining for the 13.1 m internal diameter and 450 mm thick, 2.4 km long mainline tunnels for the Waterview Connection project in Auckland for the New Zealand Transport Agency.The design and detailing of this segmental lining presented some noteworthy challenges, including an alignment that has sections of low cover in soft ground. Key points of interest are that this precast segmental lining is the largest to ever include steel fibres as the primary method of reinforcement and the lining includes cams on circumferential joints to control ring deformation.The paper describes some of the key design decisions that were made in a collaborative manner with the construction team, tunnel boring machine manufacturer, segment manufacturer and the designers.CITATION:Mahajan, R, Kuras, A and Pradhan, S, 2014. Design of segmental lining for Waterview Project, Auckland, New?Zealand, in Proceedings 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014 , pp 289–294 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 17, 2014

The use of mining by-products for beneficial use may face approval, and acceptance barriers. This paper described the use of a sustainability framework to assess the safety, effectiveness and economic value of modified bauxite residue (Alkaloam«) for use on agricultural land in the Peel-Harvey region of Western Australia. The results indicate the merit associated with using this by-product from a safety and, private, community and environmental value perspective. They may be used to indicate the worth of pursuing any future community acceptance and agency approval process.   The use of Alkaloam« for beneficial use on agricultural land in Western Australia was first investigated over 25 years ago. Efforts to gain regulatory approval and community acceptance of Alkaloam« have had a complicated and enduring history. Understanding and assessing the value of a by-product using social and economic considerations, in conjunction with an environmental assessment, provided a more complete evaluation to that previously used.

Jun 1, 2010

By K Hortin

Kidd Creek mine in north western Ontario is developing phase 1 of the deep mine project for mining between 2100 m and 3100 m below surface. Heat problems were experienced during the 2003 summer in working places about 2300 m below surface. At the time the mine had a æcold stopeÆ for cooling the air supplied to the mine below 1500 m from surface. The æcold stopeÆ is where during winter, ice is created in both the open pit and its connecting airways to the mine and used to cool air in summer. The operation and limitations of the existing cold stope were evaluated and led to the requirement for additional mechanical cooling to be available for the summer of 2004. The first stage of a surface refrigeration plant providing 7.5 MWR of cooling was approved, the compressor set was ordered in early January 2004 and the plant commissioned six months later in early July 2004. Based on the current modifications to the mining plan, further plant expansions are required in 2006 and 2009 leading to a total of 19 MWR of mechanical refrigeration and 8.5 MWR equivalent from the extended cold stope. The refrigeration system is described with emphasis on the specific adaptations necessary to suit Canadian conditions. Additional investigations were; using the refrigeration compressors in winter for heating and, extending the performance of either cold stopes or alternative ice storage systems. The winter use of refrigeration involve removing heat from the mine exhaust air to provide a cooling load and to use the hot water in the condensing circuit to heat the intake air and reduce reliance on mine air heating with natural gas. This paper follows on from an earlier one presented at the Seventh International Mine Ventilation Congress where the background and planning of the mine ventilation and cooling requirements were described for extending the mine at depth to 3100 m.

Jan 1, 2005

The Greens are asking the question: what do our mining towns look like in 2050 and how can we be better prepared? The resources boom brought enormous profits to the main players and was partly responsible for insulating Australia through the worst of last year's global economic turmoil. However, with indicators of a resurgent mining boom, it is essential we learn from the recent past. The last boom saw housing stress at levels unseen in the big cities, health services strained to breaking point, and Aboriginal poverty side by side with some of the most lucrative industrial precincts in the country. Much of the wealth still flies right over the heads of regional communities as fly-in, fly-out operations proliferate.   Behind these local stresses, resources booms rely on the stripping of non-renewable resources which will eventually run out, and the unique environment of the north-west is taking a battering.    Communities of the north-west have a perilously narrow economic base which must be broadened if townships of the Pilbara and Goldfields are to avoid the fate of places such as Goldsworthy and Wittenoom. Unless this is informed by local communities, decisions will be made in capital cities thousands of kilometres away by people largely ignorant of the unique conditions prevailing in regional Western Australia.   Global climate change negotiations and oil depletion will heavily penalise emissions-intensive economies like Australia which fail to keep up as the world moves to a low-carbon environment. This is an ABSTRACT ONLY no paper was prepared for this presentation.

Jun 1, 2010